So effective training of our peng structure does not depend nor is it developed with weight training for example. And that is why they always say “relax” in Taiji Quan. The peng structure is flexible but is not floppy, nor is it stiff. So, the metaphor of water is used, how water takes different shapes etc.  This refers to the flexible quality of peng 掤. Nonetheless, while your physical body will not be like water, all liquid, your movement will be fluid.

Also associated with Peng 掤, is a structural roundedness, that occurs with the letting go tension. For example, in the classics when they speak of “raising the back and sinking the chest”. The back will have a rounded structure, also the knees and elbows are bent.

This Peng 掤 structure enables the coiling in and out of the body, the spiralling motion. One does not need to forcefully show the spirals. When you “sink” let go of tension in the upper body, allowing it to sink and disperse into the ground, there is a downward spiralling motion. And then there is simultaneously and upward reactionary force that rises from the ground and goes up. This supports your structure and is different from your muscles or skeleton structure actively resisting gravity. Both motions spiral down and up through the sinews. And this gives birth to Peng 掤. And in Taiji Quan, the key to practising is developing this structure and maintaining it. It needs to be constant and manifest throughout the whole body.